Bainbridge's Tucker-Gangnes ready for MLS draft

UW standout hopes to start pro career soon

Bainbridge High graduate Dylan Tucker-Gangnes was selected by the Portland Timbers in the second round of Thursday's Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington

Dylan Tucker-Gangnes isn't shaking at the thought of being judged.

Tucker-Gangnes, a 2008 Bainbridge High graduate, is among 54 college seniors who'll be participating in the 2013 Major League Soccer Combine, a five-day event which begins Friday.

The University of Washington standout feels capable of keeping his nerves in check while trying to make a positive impression leading up to the MLS SuperDraft, which takes place Jan. 17 in Indianapolis.

"Definitely excited," Tucker-Gangnes said. "Not necessarily nervous, more like excited just to get it going. At this point, I've played enough big games in front of enough scouts."

Tucker-Gangnes played three and a half seasons at Bainbridge. Midway through his senior campaign, he opted to play club soccer only.

For the Huskies, Tucker-Gangnes proved to be a valuable, four-year starter.

A sturdy 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, Tucker-Gangnes was scouted as a central midfielder out of high school. He played up front for UW as a freshman due to a lack of forwards on the roster.

He transitioned to the midfield as a sophomore, then started his junior and seniors seasons at central defender. He actually led UW in goals as a senior with eight while leading the Huskies to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

After the season, Tucker-Gangnes was named to the All-Pac 12 and All-Far West Region first teams.

"He's so versatile a player," said George Vukic, who coached Tucker-Gangnes at Bainbridge. "He's tall, sure on the ball, super smart. ... I don't know that there's any limit to what he can do."

Tucker-Gangnes, who majored in communications and minored in international studies at UW, spent plenty of days in December preparing for this week's scouting combine. Before Christmas, he spent two weeks in England training with the reserve team for Bristol City, which plays in the Football League Championship (one step below the Premier League).

"I have some family over there," Tucker-Gangnes said. "It was interesting to see the inside working of a club, getting a feel for their system. ... I got some really good feedback at the end. Ultimately, it prepared me pretty well for the (MLS) combine."

Recently, Tucker-Gangnes spent a week working out in Portland, where he played two years ago for the Timbers U23s of the Premier Development League.

"There's a gym down here I like to go to," Tucker-Gangnes said. "I do some fitness stuff, yoga ..."

As far his draft potential, Tucker-Gangnes isn't sure what to expect. The MLS SuperDraft lasts two rounds with 38 players being drafted. The four-round MLS Supplemental Draft follows on Jan. 22 and allows teams to try to find hidden gems among less-heralded players.

"It'd be nice to go in the SuperDraft," Tucker-Gangnes said. "Either way, you get a shot with a club. You still have to prove your worth."

Knowing he has some potential to start out his pro career overseas, Tucker-Gangnes said he isn't ruling out anything, not at this stage.

"MLS has been the goal since day one," he said. "It'd be really awesome to get drafted and make a team, to conquer that goal."

With a laugh, he added: "But anybody who wants to pay me to play soccer, that would be great."